✏️ Update: November 01, 2024
With pickleball’s popularity soaring, so are the number of related injuries, with ankle sprains and strains being particularly common. The right gear is crucial to perform well on the court while staying injury-free. While many players focus on their paddle and attire, the right pair of pickleball shoes is often overlooked.
Some pickleball shoe manufacturers suggest changing your shoes after about sixty hours of play. The USTA (United States Tennis Association), primarily focused on tennis, also supports the idea of replacing athletic shoes after sixty hours of play or at least once a year. However, keep in mind that a shoe’s lifespan depends on various factors, including playing frequency, intensity, court surface, and individual wear and tear. Before we dive into the top men’s pickleball shoe brands on the market, let’s explore the factors to consider when buying a pair.
Do you absolutely need dedicated pickleball shoes?
Not necessarily.
Indoor and outdoor courts have different characteristics, and your shoes must adapt accordingly. Indoor court shoes, like those for squash and badminton, typically have non-marking soles to protect the wooden surface. On the other hand, outdoor court shoes need more durable outsoles with superior grip to withstand rougher terrain. A good pair of non-marking tennis shoes with a sturdy rubber or synthetic sole can work well for both indoor and outdoor play. Gum-soled indoor shoes tend to wear out quickly on abrasive outdoor courts. If your budget allows, owning one pair for indoor wooden courts and another for outdoors is a good idea.
So, why consider dedicated pickleball shoes?
Whether you’re shopping for pickleball shoes for men or women, proper fit and support are the two main reasons to consider a dedicated pair. Players have different support needs based on their playing style and foot structure. Ill-fitting shoes can lead to discomfort, jammed toes, blisters, and ankle injuries. Some movements and footwork are specific to pickleball. For example, the lateral movements required for cross-court dinks demand additional support to keep your feet stable. You need ample room in the toe box and cushioning to absorb impacts from the stop-and-start movements on the court. Pickleball shoes with reinforced ankle collars and sides can add stability and prevent ankle rolls.
Picking the right pickleball shoes
If you can’t try on shoes before buying, you’ll need to rely on the manufacturer’s descriptions and online reviews. While it might be tempting to choose shoes based on their appearance, it’s crucial to prioritize functionality. Many pickleball shoes offer both style and performance, so you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other. Investing in high-quality shoes that offer support, durability, and comfort without breaking the bank is the right approach.
Here are some popular men’s pickleball shoe brands to consider:
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Skechers
The American footwear company Skechers has become the third-largest shoe brand in the United States. From its roots in utility-style boots and men’s street shoes, Skechers has grown to offer footwear products targeted at the pickleball-playing community. With prominent event sponsorships such as the Carvana Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour and the Pickleball Canada National Championship, Skechers has become one of the best-recognized dedicated pickleball shoe manufacturers today. Skechers is also the official footwear partner of USA Pickleball.
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Skechers Men’s Viper Indoor Outdoor Pickleball Shoes |
| Check Price |
Speaking of Skechers, they offer a range of pickleball shoes for men with features designed for optimal performance and comfort. These include: durable, non-marking Goodyear rubber outsoles, Arch Fit technology for support, and soft Ultra Flight cushioning for comfort and speed on the court. The design of these shoes provides maximum movement, reduces fatigue, and offers excellent support and stability, making them a stylish and functional choice for players of all levels.
Asics
ASICS, a Japanese footwear and sporting goods manufacturer, is renowned for its high-performance shoes and apparel. Already a popular choice among tennis and squash players, ASICS has now entered the pickleball scene with a dedicated line of shoes featuring its signature GEL technology. While ASICS tennis shoes can work well for pickleball, a dedicated pair offers features specifically designed for the demands of the sport.
| Product | Model | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | ASICS Men’s Gel-Game 9 Pickleball Shoes |
| Check Price |
ASICS offers a variety of men’s pickleball shoes, including the GEL-DEDICATE™ 8 PB and GEL-GAME™ 9 PB models. These shoes incorporate ASICS’ patented GEL cushioning system for enhanced comfort and shock absorption, making them ideal for long matches on outdoor hard courts.
Fila
Fila, a South Korean athleisure brand, produces a wide range of sportswear and equipment. Though founded in Italy, the company was later acquired by Fila Korea. Fila has entered the pickleball market with its Volley Zone series of shoes. To avoid confusion with its tennis and lifestyle footwear, Fila has “Pickleball” printed on some of its dedicated court shoes.
| Product | Model | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Fila Volley Zone Pickleball Shoes Men |
| Check Price |
Fila offers a variety of men’s pickleball shoes, such as the Volley Zone and Double Bounce models. These shoes feature herringbone rubber outsoles for enhanced traction, pivot areas for improved maneuverability, and energized midsoles for extra cushioning, making them ideal for performance on the court.
K-Swiss
With a formidable presence in the tennis industry for nearly seventy years, K-Swiss is a Los Angeles-based company now owned by the South Korean company E-Land. K-Swiss has recently introduced a limited range of dedicated pickleball shoes for both men and women, priced similarly to their popular tennis shoes.
| Product | Model | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | K-Swiss Men’s Express Light Pickleball Shoes |
| Check Price |
The K-Swiss Men’s Express Light Pickleball Shoe is designed for stability and responsiveness during quick lateral movements and features a lightweight, breathable construction for optimal comfort on the court.
Wilson
Chicago-based Wilson, owned by the Chinese sporting goods giant Anta Sports, is a multi-sport brand that has expanded into the pickleball market with paddles and shoes. Unlike other tennis brands that simply rebrand existing tennis line for pickleball, Wilson manufactures a range of footwear models specifically designed for the sport.
| Product | Model | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | WILSON Men’s Rush PRO 3.0 Pickleball Shoes |
| Check Price |
Wilson’s pickleball shoes, marketed under the Rush Pro series, are known for their affordability and performance-oriented features. The Rush Pro models typically come with a wider toe box for comfort during quick movements, breathable mesh uppers to keep feet cool, and a cushioned heel-to-toe drop for enhanced support and responsiveness on the court.
Acacia
Acacia is a Canadian pickleball shoe brand with over 25 years of experience manufacturing sporting equipment. With offices and distribution centers in both the USA and Canada, Acacia has become a recognizable name in the pickleball community. Two of its popular pickleball shoe models are the DinkShot 2.0 and the pro-player signature series, the Acacia Ultrashot.
| Product | Model | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | ACACIA Unisex Pickleball Shoes |
| Check Price |
Acacia offers a variety of pickleball shoes, including the DinkShot and ProShot models. These shoes are known for their lightweight design, improved performance, and optimal support for both male and female players.
Tyrol
The Canadian company Tyrol focuses exclusively on pickleball footwear. According to Tyrol’s FAQ page, their shoes feature a wider toe box to accommodate the quick starts and stops characteristic of pickleball. If your tennis shoes are causing you discomfort or toe jamming, you might want to consider Tyrol as an alternative. Tyrol pickleball shoes are priced in the mid-tier range.
| Product | Model | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Tyrol Men’s Volley Series Pickleball Shoe |
| Check Price |
The Tyrol Men’s Volley Series Pickleball Shoe is designed to provide enhanced performance, comfort, and support. It features a wider toe box for optimal comfort, excellent ventilation, and a focus on lateral stability to prevent ankle rollover.
Li-Ning
Li-Ning, a major Chinese sportswear and athletic footwear brand, offers a limited but growing range of pickleball shoes. Many of their pickleball shoes feature non-marking gum rubber soles, making them well-suited for indoor pickleball courts in multi-purpose sports facilities and community centers. However, these soles might wear down faster on outdoor courts.
Li-Ning’s men’s indoor pickleball shoes are affordably priced and designed to provide stability and durability for pickleball players. You can find them here.
Selkirk
Selkirk Sport, a family-owned and operated business headquartered in Hayden, Idaho, is known for its high-quality pickleball paddles. Recently, they became the first dedicated pickleball manufacturer to launch a line of pickleball shoes. The Selkirk S01 and S02 Pro Court shoe models are positioned as unisex and designed for performance on the court.
While Selkirk continues to expand its range of pickleball paddles and apparel, their footwear line appears to be a less prominent focus at this time.
Tennis brands in the mix
Many popular tennis shoe brands, such as Head, Babolat, Adidas, and Nike, have rebranded some of their shoe models as pickleball shoes. While tennis shoes generally work well for pickleball, they are not purpose-built for the sport like the ones covered above. You can check them out on the companies’ websites.
Choosing Your Perfect Pickleball Shoes
I’ve avoided recommending specific brands or models of pickleball shoes since only you know what works best for you. Hopefully, this post helps you narrow down your search. Choose wisely and enjoy your game!
Do you have a favorite brand or model of pickleball shoes? Share your recommendations in the comments below!
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